New York's Beastie Boys -- Michael "Mike D" Diamond, Adam "Ad-Rock" Horovitz and Adam "MCA" Yauch -- used to be punks, then switched to hip-hop. Their calling-card smash "(You Gotta) Fight for Your Right (to Party!)" crashed the Top 10 in 1987. The Beastie Boys went on to crusade for loftier causes, including Tibetan independence. Their eighth album, "Hot Sauce Committee Part Two," came out in April.

At the height of their popularity some 20 years ago, these British masters of moody post-punk (led by singer Robert Smith) were packing arenas, including the old Richfield Coliseum. They had a Top 20 hit with "Friday I'm in Love."

From the mid-'80s until they went their separate ways in 1992, New Yorkers DJ Eric B. (Eric Barrier) and MC Rakim (William Griffin) established themselves as one of the most innovative duos in hip-hop. Their 1987 debut, "Paid in Full," is a classic of the genre.

These hard-rockers burst out of Los Angeles 25 years ago with "Appetite for Destruction," which has sold 18 million copies in the United States alone, according to the Recording Industry Association of America. The album's No. 1 hit, "Sweet Child o' Mine," was unavoidable, seemingly blaring from every stereo and radio within earshot. Despite numerous personnel changes, GN'R continues to record and perform, at the whim of frontman Axl Rose.

Helmed by sisters Ann and Nancy Wilson on lead vocals and guitar, respectively, this Seattle group made female-powered rock 'n' roll a force to reckon with in the '70s, to the tune of "Crazy on You," Magic Man," "Barracuda" and other songs that became classic-rock staples. Heart became an MTV favorite in the mid-'80s. The band's latest album, "Red Velvet Car," came out last year.

The former Joan Larkin got her first taste of fame with the Runaways, the all-girl rock band of "Cherry Bomb" renown. With Jett front and center, the Blackhearts came together in Los Angeles in the early '80s and scored a No. 1 single with "I Love Rock 'N Roll." Jett co-starred (opposite Michael J. Fox) in the 1987 film "Light of Day," filmed in Cleveland.

This singer-guitarist earned his nickname -- "The Texas Cannonball" -- by virtue of his hard-hitting style of blues. Born in the Lone Star State but raised in Chicago, King cast a long shadow, influencing everyone from Eric Clapton to Stevie Ray Vaughan. King's calling-card tune was "Hide Away," a hit 50 years ago. He died in 1976.

The piano-playing singer-songwriter from New York made her debut in 1967. Her tunes became hits for numerous other artists, including Blood, Sweat & Tears, which notched a Top 5 single with Nyro's "And When I Die." She died in 1997.

This Los Angeles band has been playing funky alt-rock since the '80s, although the group's biggest hit to date was a ballad: "Under the Bridge." The Red Hot Chili Peppers remain active, anchored by founding members Anthony Kiedis (vocals) and Michael "Flea" Balzary (bass) and longtime drummer Chad Smith. They released their 10th album, "I'm with You," last month.

Before she found success on her own, Khan fronted this funky outfit from Chicago. They cracked the Top 5 in 1974 with "Tell Me Something Good," followed in short order by the likes of "Once You Get Started" and "Sweet Thing." Khan launched a solo career in 1978.

These British exports were responsible for such hits as "Itchycoo Park" and "Stay with Me." First came the Small Faces in the '60s, including singer-guitarist Steve Marriott, keyboardist Ian McLagan, bassist Ronnie Lane and drummer Kenney Jones. By the '70s, they were simply the Faces, with Marriott gone and Rod Stewart and Ronnie Wood on lead vocals and guitar, respectively. Stewart and Wood are already in the Rock Hall -- the former as a solo artist; the latter as a member of the Rolling Stones.

With Philippe Wynne and Bobby Smith handling lead vocals, this sleek R&B hit machine from Detroit cranked out a dozen Top 40 singles in the '70s, including "I'll Be Around," "Could It Be I'm Falling in Love" and "The Rubberband Man." The group's mentor was Harvey Fuqua of Cleveland's Moonglows. Wynne died in 1984.

Disco diva Summer, a Boston native, moaned her way to the big time on her breakthrough 1975 smash "Love to Love You, Baby." A string of Top 10 singles followed, including such chart-toppers as "MacArthur Park," "Hot Stuff" and "Bad Girls."

Multiculturalism defined the music of this funky band from Long Beach, Calif., with a British singer (Eric Burdon, previously inducted by the Rock Hall for his stint with the Animals) and no shortage of Afro-Latin grooves. They had a Top 5 smash in 1970 with "Spill the Wine." Burdon left the group soon afterward, although the hits kept coming for War, including "Why Can't We Be Friends?" and "Low Rider."

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